Vancouver

Dining

Vancouver restaurants make up one of Canada's most vibrant dining scenes. Feast on an assortment of fresh ingredients masterfully prepared by award-winning chefs, often with ocean and mountain views.

Many foodies and chefs in the city take local and sustainable meals seriously – the 100 Mile Diet was born here, as was Ocean Wise, a program developed in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium that encourages environmentally-friendly seafood choices.

Chefs in Vancouver cover a huge range of global cuisine, from Japanese izakaya to authentic Italian and everything in between. Chef/writer Anthony Bourdain, from the Travel Channel's No Reservations, sang the praises of Vancouver chefs Tojo, Pino (from Cioppino's) and Vikram Vij. The city even has its own Iron Chef: Rob Feenie.

West Coast Cuisine

John Bishop, owner/chef of Bishop’s for more than 25 years, was one of Vancouver’s pioneers in sourcing local ingredients for culinary masterpieces. Mobil four-star restaurant West also serves expertly crafted regional cuisine, along with creative cocktails.

For some of the best in local seafood, dine at C Restaurant, which was the founding restaurant partner in the Ocean Wise program. Raincity Grill, located next to English Bay beach, features a unique 100 Mile Tasting Menu.

The unassuming Go Fish operates out of a small shack at Fisherman’s Wharf right on the harbour and uses fish straight off the boats. Try the salmon tacones and then wander around nearby Granville Island Market for west coast foodie inspiration. Plan an al fresco meal and pick up some artisan bread, meat, poultry, fish, produce or treats "to go".

Asian Cuisine

The New York Times described Vij’s as “easily among the finest Indian restaurants in the world”. Don’t miss the signature lamb popsicles, recommended by Bon Appetit magazine, or be adventurous and order an Indian-style appetizer with crickets (yes, the insect).

Another foodie must-visit is Tojo’s, where master sushi chef Hidekazu Tojo is credited with inventing the ubiquitous California Roll. Order Omakase and trust the chef to create the perfect meal.

Sample steaming hot dim sum at the award-winning Kirin Restaurant, or peruse the extensive menu at Phnom Penh, a Cambodian-Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown.

Casual and Local Favourites

Cactus Club Café is a local chain of restaurants that boasts signature dishes by Iron Chef Rob Feenie. White Spot, another local institution with multiple locations, is known for its burgers – try the legendary Triple “O” burger.

Craving bite-sized cuisine? Pop into Bin 941 and Bin 942, which were instrumental in establishing Vancouver’s love affair with tapas. For a Japanese twist on tapas, visit Hapa Izakaya, one of a handful of izakaya restaurants in the city. Salt Tasting Room serves its own spin on small dishes with tasting plates of artisanal cheeses, condiments and charcuterie.

For authentic Italian, head to the quaint La Quercia or CinCin, which emphasizes simplicity and freshness.

Find out why the Belgian and North African cuisine at Chambar has made it favourite spot for many Vancouverites, or indulge in French fare at Tableau Bar Bistro, winners of "Best Casual French" at the 2013 Vancouver Magazine's Restaurant Awards (2013).

New and Trendy

Two Vancouver restaurants placed in EnRoute Magazine's "Top 10 New Restaurants in Canada": PiDGin where Chef Ono takes simple staples an serves them with an Asian twist, and The Acorn which serves progressive vegetarian food in a contemporary setting.

Those who prefer meat-centric meals should head to Wildebeest. Winner of Best New Restaurant and Best Restaurant design in the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards (2013) where an adventourus menu focuses on whole-animal cookery amidst a refurbished 19th-century theatre.

Vancouver Food Carts

Keep an eye open for mobile food carts, a rapidly growing part of Vancouver’s culinary scene. Choose from a variety of cuisines: Japanese crêpes, pulled pork sandwiches, local chanterelle mushroom poutine, Korean tacos and much more.

Fine Dining

Blue Water Café + Raw Bar, one of the city’s best destinations for wild and sustainable seafood, was voted "Best Seafood Restaurant" for 2013 by Vancouver Magazine. Chef Frank Pabst was the magazine’s "Chef of the Year" in 2010 as well.

Hawksworth has received numerous awards including "Best Restaurant in Canada" by Macleans (2012). Chef David Hawksworth, the youngest chef inductee into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame, prepares contemporary cuisine with the finest local ingredients.

Dining with a View

Five Sails, located in Canada Place on the Vancouver harbour, is a AAA/CAA Four Diamond Restaurant with views of Stanley Park and the Coast Mountains.

Get as close to the ocean as you can without getting wet at LIFT, located right on the seawall in Vancouver's harbour. Enjoy the extensive menu and an award-winning wine list, while sitting beside a fireplace on the rooftop deck with wood-burning fires.

Ride the gondola to The Observatory, located atop Grouse Mountain, for a spectacular view of the city and regionally sourced cuisine or ride the elevator 42-stories up to Cloud 9 for fine dining and look out 6m (20ft) windows in a revolving restaurant that slowly turns to offer unbeatable city panoramas.

Dine Out Vancouver

Take advantage of Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Vancouver (January) and enjoy three-course meals at some of the city’s finest restaurants for a low, fixed price. This event is very popular, so be sure to make reservations in advance.